Monday Musing - English Collections

As promised, since The King’s Speech took home an Oscar, I’m posting a few favorite pieces from my personal collection of English items.  Mondays are always busy as I get ready for client meetings so I’ll just pop in some quick photos and comments.

I love clocks and when I saw this floor type at a local antiques’ auction, I just knew I had the perfect place for it.  Even though I’m also a huge fan of the Swedish Mora clocks, the handpainted face is what captured my affection and inspired me into waving my bidder’s number.

Function meets form in the most beautiful way!

I have a set of Maund English botanicals, which were hand-coloured prints taken from a set of books published in London – 1825 to 1835.  I’ll have to admit, the shadow box framing caught my eye as much as the art.

My husband, who loves collecting leatherbound books, came across this piece during one of his hunts.  (We have to police one another’s collecting habits!)  It’s a beautiful hall stand to hold umbrellas and it has a drawer box for gloves.  The carving on the drawer serves as a pull and even though the face has a rather scolding appearance, we both love it.  I really think it’s supposed to remind us not to forget to cover ourselves from the elements.  More than umbrellas, it holds some walking sticks.  (Another collection story.)  I also decided my Italian toleware compote seems to be happy nesting on top. 

Some furniture pieces, from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, show a carved figure, often referred to as the Northwind.  It was often found during the earlier Jacobean period, but experienced a revival during the Victorian era, too.  This handle reminds me more of that of a feline face.  They do say March rolls in like a lion!

It even has the original drip pans intact.  I love the fact that someone cherished it enough to take good care of it for future generations.  I hope to see more consumers view their pieces as worthwhile purchases and not have them end up in the landfills.

 

I featured a post about my English transferware collection on my other blog, Villas and Bungalows.  Stop by to visit and check out that particular story.  As you can see from this photo, I am an avid collector.  I think we have a good bit of the everyday pieces, as well as some of the more difficult to find.  It has been a true treasure hunt!

Collecting, to me, is not about acquiring “things”.  It’s the way I tell the story of who I am.  It captures the memories of sharing time with my husband as we put the pieces together for our home.  We are also aware of the fine line between stuffing spaces or layering them in a well-designed way.  I enjoy being able to help my clients write their “lifebook”, too.  We just have to pick a place for the beginning and then add to the chapters of their lives.

What does your home say about you?  Does it tell your story or someone else's? 

From the King and Queen of our own castle ~ The Hortons

Oscar Dresses Interpreted Into Rooms

I feel asleep! I cannot believe that I fell asleep during the Oscars. Boo! At least I dvr'd it but it is not the same. Anyway, I saw the red carpet and that is (almost) the most important part. I have my top three dresses and I will liken them to a room....

Mila Kunis can do no wrong these days!!!

1

Stunning

House Beautiful

Red is my least favorite color but it seems to be popping up all over the place this Award season. Jennifer Lawrence looked RED HOT in this Calvin Klein (genius) dress.

2

Sexy.

Elle Decor

She looks like a mix of Barbie and Bewitched so I had to pick the room I did!

3

Classy.

Oberto Gili

Honorable Mention

Ridiculous.

Elle Decor

And The Oscar Goes To . . .

I’m not truly in an unbiased position to make this prediction.  As a matter of fact, I have not seen a lot of the nominated movies but there was one I thought would be worth making the effort to pay a visit to my local theater.

I gave it a two thumbs up!  Of course, Colin Firth had me at “hhhhhello”.

I’ll be watching to see if The King’s Speech, along with actors, Colin Firth – Best Actor nominee, Geoffrey Rush – Best Supporting Actor Nominee, Helena Bonham Carter – Best Supporting Actress Nominee, will take home the Oscar for Best Picture.  It’s also nominated for Best in: Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Sound Mixing and Writing (Original Screenplay).

Whew!  That’s a lot of these to be handed out . . .

 

At that hour, I’ll more than likely be in these:

 

As I enjoy a bowl of this:

(Courtesy of Food 52 – < Click on the link for some zesty popcorn ideas!)

If the King’s Speech does take home an Oscar nod, stop by on Monday as I share a few English pieces I’ve collected over the years.  I must be an Anglophile at heart!

Hope you enjoy the show! ~ Wanda

10 Things I’m taking to the Bloggers Conference in LA

Photo by Maria Killam

Well my lovelies, I’m off to the Design Bloggers Conference at the Sofitel in LA. I am looking forward to a few days of fun and meeting so many bloggers/friends for the first time, I’m very excited! Here is what I’m bringing:

Black Cashmere Wrap for the plane

Mine’s getting old now but it’s way better than an airplane blanket (do they even hand those out anymore?).

BCBG

My ipad

To take notes and possibly post when I’m there. I might be busy though, we’ll see.

Three pairs of colourful pumps

Because they turn a neutral outfit into Colour me Happy :)

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Gold Pashmina scarf from Nordstrom.

It matches my bag. I cut the fringe off mine though.

Paige Hidden Hills Boot Cut Jeans

Dark Jeans are dressy, yet versatile.

Brooks Brothers, Tailored White Shirt

I hired my stylist Angie from You Look Fab for a quick one hour consult on the phone this week. She helped me sort out which outfits I would wear at the conference, and sent me off to buy one of these shirts. Everything else, we combined from what I already had.  Way easier (and cheaper) to shop in my own closet instead of staring it at wondering what to wear or buying the wrong thing anyway. And it’s kind of in between seasons right now, can’t look too Wintery but it’s not Spring yet. . .

Benjamin Moore Fan Deck 

I know, it might sound a little strange, but I travel everywhere with one.  You never know when I might want to match something, pick out a colour for someone. . . I confess I am obsessed.

My camera. 

Sometimes I truly feel like the paparazzi being a blogger, but at this conference, I’ll be in good company!

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A book to read on the plane.

I was recently sent this book to review, it’s The Essentials of Fabulous by Ellen Lubin-Sherman. I just read the fashion chapter and one of the tips was to buy a Brooks Brothers shirt, so I felt really in-the-know because I had just purchased one.

Here are a few of Ellen’s tips on How to Appear Hipper than you Really Are:

1. If you’re on email, respond within 12 hours. Otherwise admit it: You ‘have’ email but you don’t use it.

2. Have a presence on Facebook, but no photographs of yourself looking kinda creepy and, God forbid, Crepey.

3. Break Fashion Rules left and right. White jeans in the winter look amazingly hip.

She also gives all kinds of fun advice like ‘How to Take yourself out to Dinner’,  ‘How to write a love note to yourself’, and has an entire chapter devoted to the topic, ‘Fabulous people are warm and completely accessible.’  included in THAT chapter is an excerpt on ‘How to talk about yourself without putting people into a coma’. Something I’ll be practicing the next few days at the conference :)

My Smile and my Curiosity

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If you’re there and see me and I’m not smiling or I look like I don’t see you, it’s probably one of three things, 1. I’m in my head because I’m thinking about something—it happens, as you already know I analyze everything. . . 2. I’m worried that you don’t like me. . .  or 3. My feet hurt. . .I do have a low tolerance for being uncomfortable, haha.  No really, I hope to meet as many of you as possible! Can’t wait!

Have a great week!

If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.

Related posts:
Maria’s Guide to Starting a Design Blog

4 Interior Design Blogs I wish you would Write

A Bad Day in the Life of a Colour Designer

New to this Blog? Click here ; Follow me on Facebook and Twitter; Become a True Colour Expert

Before & After: Fabric Display Rack

I bought this "thing" a few years back at an antique place in Atlanta. The lady that sold it to me said it was a sewer grate from the Netherlands??? I have no idea. But again, I am obsessed with circles and anything galvanized so I snatched it up! Then it sat in my office closet for at least three years as I had yet to figure out what I wanted to do with it. Until now...

I am using it as a rack to hold all of my fabric swatches. These swatches help me keep up with what fabrics I have in my storage closet. Each luggage tag has the fabric sample on the front with the fabric company, pattern, color and yardage on the back. I got the idea from here...

Suzanne Kasler for Ballard Designs

Value Lessons in Interior Design

Lots of people are quite capable of making a room ‘pretty’.  (You can substitute the words:  handsome, attractive, pleasing, etc.)  Adding value might be a totally different story.  In fact, ‘value’ can have a lot of different interpretations. Value is not always something you can put your finger on.  It certainly can mean the quality of the product is there, but to me, this story goes much deeper.

I was reminded of this, while speaking to a client this morning.  We don’t have anything currently in the works, I was just catching up with her and to see what has been happening in her life.  (It means a lot to be able to continue the relationships, over the years.)  We also spoke a little about my projects and she remembered reading, on my Facebook page, about a recent disappointment I had experienced with a potential client cancelling a meeting. 

(Just in case you didn’t know, the mock-playing of the violin symbolizes when it was used to accompany certain silent films in order to emphasize melodrama. It’s usually tied to the tune, “Hearts and Flowers”, by Tobiani, and the tune is often hummed while miming.  I could almost hear it in the background while writing this post.) 

I usually don’t try to fixate on such things but I think I was perplexed as to the sudden change of heart.  I did know the couple initially planned to hold meetings with local designers and expected to do it without being assessed a fee.  I spend a bit of time, on the front end, preparing for working meetings and have developed a system to make the best use of time. I had pre-confirmed the initial visit services I could provide, including a visit with a reputable builder/contractor.  The potential clients were looking to make some structural changes and we needed to know if some of the items they were proposing would be feasible, as well as code compliant.  The only way to know was to visit the site.

All was agreed upon, weeks in advance . . .including a small fee to cover the trip and the value of my advice and experience.  The appointment was twice-confirmed with great enthusiasm.  They came into town and then, two days before our meeting, I was emailed to say the appointment was to be cancelled.  A decision had been made without any further discussion – or meeting. 

My reaction?  A bit disappointed that my time and experience was not perceived to be of value, as well as that of the contractor and his project manager, who had been added to assist with the visit. 

 

My conclusion?  Every dog, cat – and designer - has his or her day. Things have a way of working out for the best.

Meanwhile, I’ll get back to the conversation with my client.  She reminded me of the value I do bring to each design meeting and person’s home.  She’s the ultimate cheerleader and you always walk away feeling as if you’ve won the “Person of The Year” award, when she really is the one who should receive it. 

My client shared with me she remembered how I educated her about upholstery fabrics and that thickness was not always the best indicator of durability.  I explained to her about the Wyzenbeek testing process and the more double-rubs a fabric passes, the more strength it exhibits against abrasion and wear.  A fabric, passing 30,000 double rubs, for example, is considered to be heavy duty and can still be a fine weave.  We made sure to examine each option for her furniture.

Why was this so important?  She has one of these fellows in her life . . .

. . . Almost 160 pounds of furry, black, drooling Newfoundland love.  He’s part of her family and resides both indoors and out.

While all of this might seem to be a no-brainer, with her having such a large dog, fast forward to a couple of years later and now her daughter’s cats are "co-existing” with the Newfie.  (Tolerating might be a better term.)  If you’re not a cat aficionado, I’ll just say they love to rub up against all corners, with both body and paw pads.  It’s their way of saying, “this is mine and you can’t have it”.  Now just imagine two cats trying to let the dog know who’s boss.  That’s a lot of rubbing!  My client said I must have had some ESP when it came to the “double rub” test.  (Insert:  smile.)

Can I just tell you how awesome it made me feel to know, over two years after she purchased her upholstery from me, she still feels she received something “extra” in exchange for her investment?  She can enjoy her interiors without concern they’re off limits to the regular family members, as well as the fur family members.  She feels that she has a sanctuary, called “home”.  She also felt someone missed out on a great experience in receiving my assistance.  (Insert:  humble thanks.)

Beauty only touches the surface . . .

. . . . value goes much deeper. 

To my client . . . Thank you for recognizing the value of my services and time.  For those who might consider asking for my help, I appreciate the opportunity to share this story with you.  And . . . Thank you for your time.

All my best ~ Wanda

2011 Trends from Vancouver’s Design Show + Winner of my Giveaway

Green and ‘Upcycling’ is a hot trend (source)

This year I was at the convention center for both days of the design show this week. Wednesday for Vicente Wolf’s talk on “Lifting the Curtain on Design’ and Thursday for Janice Lindsay’s talk on Colour Trends with Pittsburgh Paints. She had many fabulous images from her travels,(including this fun lamp from the Conrad Shop, below) to show where colour and design is moving now.

Conran Shop 

Fantasy is a Necessary ingredient to Living. Dr. Seuss

You had to be there for her talk as her images truly told the story. However she talked a lot about the new neutral (besides gray) called Cardboard or Brown Paper Bag:

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What do you think? Are you seeing this colour as new?

Cindy, comment number 18 is the winner of my Novica giveaway!  Email me with your info and I’ll send over the gift certificate! Congratulations!

If you would like your Home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.

Related posts:

Interview with Colour Expert; Janice Lindsay
Rules are for Breaking, by Janice Lindsay
White is a Snob; by Janice Lindsay

New to this Blog? Click here ; Follow me on Facebook and Twitter; Become a Certified True Colour Expert

This Week I...

Finally debuted my new online shop, Eclectic Finds! If you haven't taken a peek, please doso! I will showcase a new item each weekday so keep checking back or better yet, subscribe to the blog and you will be notified each time I post a new item.

Finalized all my forms, systems, etc. for my e-decorating services. I will be giving you all that info next week! But for now, here is a sneak peek of one that I am working on....

Got to go tour The American College of the Building Arts in their campus that is in the old jail of downtown Charleston. Your's truly will be speaking at their event on March 19. I will have more on that next week!

Played 6 Degrees of Separation with some of my design idols...funny how small this world can be! It came to my attention that I have a 2nd Degree connection (meaning my friend is friends/relatives) with Ruthie Sommers, Palmer Weiss, Amanda Nisbet, Angie Hranowsky and Kelly Wearstler(l to r). Look at me name dropping...maybe their design talents will rub off on me by my 2nd Degree association.

Have a great weekend!!!